Proposal
It was 7:00 PM.
Arietta removed her shoes and went straight to her room at the second floor.
She just got back from school.
She was changing her clothes when it started raining outside.
She wore a black sparkling dress and flat silver shoes because their going to have a girls' night out.
She finished her assignments quickly and took her cellphone.
She sat at her bed and read a message from her classmate Yuri.
Your friend needs your help. Saw him going to your place.
Arietta walked towards her window and opened the curtains.
"Ion? That's ridiculuos how can Ion need my... help..." Arietta was shocked to see her friend walking outside in the rain. Ion was wearing a dark gray t-shirt and faded blue jeans.
"Ion!" shouted Arietta but Ion just stopped in front of her house, head bowed, soaking. Arietta grabbed an umbrella and hurriedly went out.
"What are you doing? You'll catch a cold!" said Arietta and opened the umbrella.
Ion just stood there in silence. Arietta tried to pull him but she cannot even move him a centimeter.
"Ion! Wake up! This is the first time I have seen you like this. It is all right if a girl rejected you. There is always someone else willing to accept you. I'll always be here for you!" said Arietta without thinking and hugged Ion.
"What the hell are you saying?" said Ion with a little chuckle.
Arietta let go of him. He was not crying like what Arietta thought. He even looks happy.
"You're… not crying?" asked Arietta with complete confusion.
"What? Why will I cry?" said Ion.
"But I thought you were rejected by the girl you liked?" said Arietta
"Huh? Whoever told you that?" asked Ion, getting himself confused too.
"Well… I just… thought that is the reason… you are walking in the rain," explained Arietta.
"Only fools do that when they're heartbroken," said Ion.
"Ouch. I think that hit me." Arietta felt offended.
"Does walking in the rain means that person was dumped or rejected. Can't it be that he just wants to make a romantic proposal?" said Ion.
"Romantic… proposal?"
"You've forgotten already? Yesterday, you said the most romantic scene for you is a boy and a girl talking in the rain. That's what I was doing right now," explained Ion.
Arietta looked around her.
"What are you doing?" asked Ion.
"I was looking for the girl you're talking to," answered Arietta.
"Oh, really? Did you found anyone?"
"No. I'm the only one here."
"That's because you're the one I'm talking to."
"Oh, He he. I didn't realize."
"So… is this a romantic scene for you?"
"Not really…" said Arietta but Ion suddenly hugged her and dropped her umbrella.
"Ion…"
"Arietta…"
Ion put his hands on Arietta's face and…
"CUT!" the director said through a megaphone.
The water pouring over them stopped and their P.A.s came quick.
"Great acting Ms. Arietta," her P.A. said and handed her a towel.
"Thank you," replied Arietta and sat on her chair.
They were shooting the movie 'Proposal' and superstars Arietta and Ion are the main characters. Sayuri, the writer, made the story more interesting by using the celebrities' name rather than creating one.
"Good as always, Ion," Ion's brother, Florian, said and patted Ion's shoulder.
"Thanks," said Ion.
A boy with shades but looked and dressed really like Ion was hiding behind the curtain of Ion's tent.
"Sync, ready for the death scene?" asked Ion as he enter his tent.
The boy, Sync, sat on Ion's chair and read the script.
"You just have to say her name, touch her face and Natalia will kill her and a car will-"
"I know that already so hurry up and get out of here," said Sync and threw his shades to Ion.
"Okay," said Ion and put on the shades. "See 'ya!"
"Don't forget your payment!" Sync reminded his elder twin brother.
Florian entered the tent while Sync is getting a bottle of water from the cooler.
"Hey, don't drink cold water, Sync," Florian said and took the bottle.
"I'm not Sync, I'm Ion," said Sync and quickly tried to take the bottle but Florian dodge his hands.
"Yeah, I can see that. Fast reflexes. 2 minutes before the scene. Break a leg."
"Come here and I'll break your leg!" said Sync but Florian quickly left.
Sync just took another bottle from the cooler.
Sync was drinking his water when Arietta came.
"Ion… good job," said Arietta.
"Yeah, you too." replied Sync with flat tone and closed the cap of his bottle.
"Really?" said Arietta with excitement
"No," answered Sync and threw the bottle into the cooler.
"Ion, is something wrong? You seem angry," Arietta noticed.
"Yeah. Why don't you go and make yourself prettier than wasting your time here," said Sync.
"Gloomietta! Come here this instance," a girl, I bet you know who, shouted from Arietta's tent.
"Where have you been? You still need to retouch you know," Natalia, who was sitting on Arietta's chair, said.
"Natalia? Why are you here? I thought you'd kill me in the story? Go to your tent," said Arietta.
"I won't. There is a script revision. I will not kill you anymore. You and Ion will just kiss and then cut," Natalia explained.
"Hey! –humorless laugh then serious atmosphere- That is not true… right? I mean… Why would they change the scene on the last minute? This is ridiculous!" said Arietta.
"Oh really? For all I know, you're happy that you get to kiss your oh-so-beloved Ion!" Anise, who was busy counting her talent fee, said.
"Shut up, Anise. You have no proof," Arietta countered with a blush saying she-have-dreamt-of-it-once-or-twice.
"Just go and kiss him! It's easy," Natalia said and made Arietta sit on her chair.
"You're beautiful Arietta," Anise said.
"Really?"
"No," Anise snapped, "but think of the girls lining up to be kissed by Ion. And there he is, waiting just for you," Anise said and pointed to the grumpy 'Ion' who was standing behind the director.
He is kind of complaining about the script revision.
"Fine. You two win," said Arietta and gave up.
On Sync's side…
"And I even have to say these lines?" Sync protested and threw the script into the table.
"It was Ion's idea to revise this so just go on with the flow Sync," the director, Meru, said.
"What? So he planned to make me kiss that girl all this time?"
"Yeah. He said he'll double your payment though."
"… Make it triple plus his talent fee for today and I'll do it."
"Done."
After some retouching to make Arietta's look the same as earlier, she headed to the middle of the street where 'Ion' was standing, too.
Meru approached them.
"Okay… here's the deal. We made the movie not Romeo and Julietish so we revised the script for the last scene to make it better. The writer told me that she likes the song Sparks Fly and I think it is a good idea that you do what the song says. Anyone familiar with it?" Meru asked them and Arietta raised her hand.
"I know it, Meru-san…," said Arietta.
"Okay. Arietta, you have lead 'Ion' this time. We will start again from 'Ion's' romantic proposal question. We're gonna play the song while you do the act," Meru said and went to his sit beside the camera operator.
"Wow… I'm going to be lead by a girl," Sync told himself.
"Ion…"
"Okay people… ACTION!"
My mind forgets to remind me you're a bad idea
"Does walking in the rain means I was dumped or rejected. Can't it be that I just want to make a romantic proposal?" said Sync without humor.
"To me? I mean- romantic… proposal?" said Arietta with doubt.
(Meru: This looks more natural to them than earlier. )
You touch me once and it's really something, you find I'm even better than you imagined I would be
"You've forgotten already? You said the most romantic scene is you and me—I mean—a boy and a girl talking in the rain. That's what I was doing right now," explained Sync with a flat tone.
Arietta looked around her.
I'm on my guard for the rest of the world but with you, I know it's no good
"What are you doing?" asked Sync.
"I was looking for the girl you're talking to," answered Arietta.
"Oh, really? Are there other idiots like you who would like to get sick?"
"No. I'm the only one here," Arietta said with a little laugh.
And I could wait patiently but I really wish you would
"That's because you're the one I'm proposing to."
"Oh, He he. I didn't realize."
"So… is this romantic for you?"
The fake rain stopped.
Drop everything now meet me in the pouring rain
"Well…" Arietta doubted but Sync suddenly hugged her and dropped her umbrella.
(Sync's mind: This girl's body is too skinny. I wonder why it feels warm though.)
Kiss me in the sidewalk take away the pain
"Ion…?"
"…"
Sync put his hands on Arietta's face and…
(Arietta's mind: Wait… I feel as if my cheeks are burning. What's wrong with you Arietta? You've done this scene with Ion right. Why are you feeling odd?)
Cause I see the sparks fly whenever you smile
… pinched Arietta's face. Sync ran with a smile and Arietta chased him.
(Sync's mind: Come on, Sync. Prevent kissing her!)
(Sayuri: Director, that's not part of his script!
Meru: Nothing is part of his script. Who cares? It looks better!)
(Musical)
Arietta accidentally slipped and Sync quickly moved towards her.
(Sync's mind: Oh, she's such a clumz.)
I run my fingers to your hair and watch the lights go wild
Sync gave his hand to Arietta and pulled her up. Arietta's face was few inches away from Sync's.
Just keep on keeping your eyes on me; it's just wrong enough to make you feel right
Their eyes met. Sync was still holding Arietta's left hand while his other hand is on her back.
(Meru: Here comes the best part!
Sayuri: SHH!)
And lead me up the staircase won't you whisper soft and slow
"I love you," Sync whispered and his face drew nearer to Arietta.
(Arietta's mind: Hey, did I miss that in the new script?)
In the backstage, Anise was lighting up something.
"There's no way Gloomietta is kissing Ion."
I'm captivated by you baby
Sync's face is nearer… nearer…
(Arietta's mind: Wait… what… my heart is getting…)
Like a fireworks show
The sky was suddenly filled with different colors.
Sync and Arietta watched the lights up in the night sky along with the beautiful stars.
"CUT!"
Sync let go of Arietta's hands then headed to his tent.
"Good job," Florian, who was outside Ion's tent, said
"I'm getting out of here," said Sync and changed his clothes.
He took his other shades from his pocket and wore it. What happened to me? Sync asked himself.
He walked out of the tent and Arietta saw him.
"Hey, Sync! Have you seen Ion?" asked Arietta. She has a towel wrapped on her shoulders and her hair is all over the place.
"He already left," replied Sync.
"Is that so? Then can you please tell him that I'm really grateful for everything and I am… honored… to work with him…"
"Yeah, whatever."
"Oh… and tell him to be on the photo shoot next week."
"What? What photoshoot?"
"For the movie poster? It'll be on Friday noon at CaptureHearts," said Arietta.
"Damn it. He said he'll be gone for 2 weeks," Sync whispered to himself.
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
"Hey Sync," said Arietta and touched Sync's cheeks, "You look pale."
Sync touched Arietta's hands and…
"Don't touch me," said Sync and walked away.
"What's wrong with him?" asked Arietta herself and went back to her tent.
The photo shoot day…
"Hey Ion! Why didn't you call me?"
"Oh, Sync! How's the….
"I'll never forgive you for what you did. I'll kill you when you get back here on the premier night."
"Too bad I'll be extending for another week."
"What!"
"Don't worry. I know you can handle everything… smoothly."
"Smoothly? That Meru said you suggested the script revision!"
"Oh yeah. Sayu-chan really understands. How's it?"
"I almost kissed her you know!"
"Almost kissed who? Arietta?"
"Yes! Luckily there was a fireworks show on time."
"(Laugh) Luckily? For all I know, you must've said something not part of the script."
"…"
"See? Why don't you just admit that you like her since before?"
"Get back here quickly!"
"Are you okay? Your voice seems husky."
"I'll be better once you take your place again."
Call ended.
Everyone started to come.
Sync, which was in Ion's get up temporarily, was on his white long-sleeved polo, black sleeveless hoodie, blue jeans, and white low cut.
Arietta was wearing a black dress with red streaks at the skirts, black wedge shoes, and her hair tied up in a bun with loose hair in front.
Natalia was on her red-laced dress, which ends above her knee, and brown flat boots. Her hair was in a half ponytail and a flower was on her ear.
Anise was wearing a green see-through long-sleeved dress over her white sleeveless and denim shorts. She had her green stilettos, and her hair was on a messy clip.
A man, wearing checkered polo, jeans, and leather shoes, entered and all the staffs greeted him.
It was their photo shoot director.
"I'm your pictorial director, Sello. Ms. Arietta, Mr. Ion, please proceed here at the center along with Ms. Natalia and Ms. Anise," said Sello.
The four of them stepped forward.
"So… a young lad and three beautiful girls. What do you want to do first? The group, partner, or solo?"
"Solo," Sync, Anise, and Natalia said in unison.
"I'm okay with anything," said Arietta.
"Okay then, let's do your solos. Ms. Anise, care to be the first one?"
Therefore, Anise posed for 10 frames. Sello told her to look like possessive but on the other hand, forgiving.
Anise is an antagonist in the movie. She plays as Arietta's best friend and she was Ion's girlfriend at first. She was rich. Ion will eventually fall for Arietta and Anise plans to revenge alongside Natalia. When they thought Natalia died, Anise let go of Ion and became friends with Arietta again.
"Ms. Natalia, you're next."
Natalia was asked to be green with jealousy but elegant.
In the movie, Natalia is a rich girl who loves Ion so much. She planned to use Anise to get Ion but her planned failed because Anise didn't want to cooperate anymore. She met an accident and was supposed to regain her life back to kill Arietta. Due to the script revision, she remained dead.
After Natalia was the female main character, Arietta.
She posed as a fragile but strong girl.
The character Arietta plays is different than she was. The Arietta in the movie is always cope in any problems but at the same time, easily affected by other people's feelings. She was Anise's best friend until Anise read her diary where she quoted "Life makes loving hard. And now it's harder not to fall for my best friend's love." She was unaware of Ion's real feelings for her until Natalia's death.
When it was Sync's turn, he was detailed to look serious, but yearning for love inside.
Ion's role in the movie is the rich boy, son of a serious executive. To make his family happy, he pretended to be in love with Anise. However, no one can teach the heart to love, right? So Ion fall for Arietta, his girlfriend's best friend. The first time he said this to Arietta was after Natalia's funeral so Arietta asked for time to think.
Sync doesn't really know how to do that look and already used 15 frames for him but nothing works. Therefore, the director asked him to take a break first.
He leaned on a wall and think of what almost happen to him and Arietta. *Flash* He looked at the girl who suddenly looked at him and waved at him. Sync looked away. *Flash*
Perfect shots!
"Okay… so… here are the pictures we think the best," said Sello and put on the table two pictures of each character.
Anise's poses were
1.) (Whole body) She was standing, both hands clutched on her chest, looking at the camera with eyes full of agony but trying hard to smile.
2.) (Close up) Serious look avoiding the camera, hands together like asking for guidance to God or maybe planning something.
"This doesn't look like me," commented Anise.
Natalia's
1.) Left hand on her hips, chin up, sitting on a velveteen couch with legs crossed, eyes looking down.
2.) Arms wrapped around her, looking at the camera with an evil smile.
"Is this how I really look?" asked Natalia. "Classy."
Arietta's
1.) Right hand holding her skirt, other hand on her shoulder, looking at the camera with a very sensible smile.
2.) Both hands on her cheeks, eyes looking up, grinning with lips closed.
"I hope this will look good enough for the poster."
"Of course it will!" Sello said to the lady.
Sync's/ Ion's
1.) Both hands on his pocket, leaning against a wall, one foot folded, thinking face
2,) Face sideways, smile's natural, almost looking at the camera
"You took without permission?" protested Sync.
"You posed without permission," defied Sello. Sync just scoffed.
"Let's proceed to the partners, okay?" said Sello.
After some shots…
Sync and Natalia's- Natalia clinging from Sync's back, eyes looking at him; Sync holding her arms as if trying to remove it and glaring at the girl sideways.
Sync and Anise's- Anise hugging Sync from his back, smiling with eyes closed; Sync's eyes looking down and thinking of something
Anise and Arietta's- facing each other, holding hands up and smiling while looking at the camera
Sync and Arietta's- back to back, Arietta twirling her hair while looking sideways at Sync with a shy smile; Sync looking above with a smile, hands trying to touch Arietta's
"You guys are good! Keep it up for the last frames!"
Therefore, Sello positioned them like this; Sync and Arietta facing each other, Anise behind Sync, Natalia back to back with Arietta.
Sello asked Sync and Arietta to hold hands.
"Your hands are hot…" Sync said.
"Oh… maybe your hands were just colder," said Arietta with a smile.
Anise hold on to Sync's shoulder, which made Sync feel uncomfortable.
"Okay… Anise… your face should be asking Ion to come back to you. Ion, look Arietta in the eye. Arietta… same as Ion's. Natalia, glare sideways at Arietta."
"On three…. One *Flash*"
"What happened to two and three?" the four asked.
"Two, three. Good! Next! *Flash* Brilliant!"
"You didn't even count!"
"*Flash* Very good! Change position."
The four gawk at photographer.
Next position was Sync in the middle, Arietta on his right, Anise on his left, and Natalia behind. Sync was holding Arietta's left hand while Arietta is acting as if she is leaving. Anise was clinging on Sync's left arm while Natalia was trying to make Sync look at her by touching Sync's cheeks.
"Time out!" Sync said and quickly walked out of the room.
"Have you noticed? Ion acts differently lately," Arietta said to the two.
"So? Maybe he's getting full of you, Gloomietta," answered Anise.
"I hope not. We still need to finish this photo shoot, right?" added Natalia.
"So, you're saying that I'll be the reason for everything to be ruined. That's very selfish of you," Arietta said with a disappointed tone rather than angry.
*Flash*
"Ladies… can you do that again. It's perfect for your roles," Sello said and tried to picture them again.
"Whatever!" the three said in unison and walked away.
Ring-Ring
"Hello?"
"Um… hello… may I speak to Ms. Arietta please."
"I'm Arietta."
"Have you noticed something about Ion?"
"I'm sorry but… who is this?"
"You know me I'm sure."
"You're voice seems familiar but… I really can't remember."
"Well, anyways, is something wrong with Ion? Lately?"
"We were discussing that earlier. He really seems more irritable than usual. I almost mistook him as Sync."
"Ha-ha. Really?"
"Wait… This is Sync right. Your voice and Ion's was almost the same, I didn't noticed."
"What made you think I'm Sync?"
"It's impossible for Ion to call me because he's here."
"Okay, I guess I'm Sync."
"Wait… if you're Sync… are you going to die?"
"What?"
"Sync said 'Maybe the first time I'll call for you is before I die.'"
"Really? Why did he say that?"
"I don't know. Maybe he's just trying to piss me off. So, it's impossible you're Sync and you're not Ion. Are you Florian then?"
"He hung up? Weird," Arietta said to herself. "But who could it be?"
"Ms. Arietta, I saw Florian outside talking with Ion. You wanna say hi to him?" Arietta's P. A. said and hand Arietta a burger.
"Florian? Was he talking over the phone?"
"No. I don't think so. They're talking about switching places, I heard."
"Switching places? Could it be that…"
Arietta handed her P. A. the burger and walked towards the door.
On the other hand…
"Oh, Sync. Why are you here? You look sick!" Florian, who just arrived, asked Sync who was outside the site.
"Let's switch," Sync said directly.
"What? Did you just ask me to…?"
"I'm not asking you. I am ordering you. I can't do this anymore. This photo shoot is nuts," Sync said firmly. Someone passed by them.
Florian smiled. "Don't worry. It'll be over before you know it."
"Great! Now go and let's switch place," Sync said and dragged Florian into the studio.
"Your hands are colder than ice! Are you sure you're alright?"
"Once we switch, I'll be."
"You know I can't do that," Florian said.
"Oh really? Why?"
"Because they'll know that I'm not Ion. I'm far younger than him."
"I'm far cooler than him, too."
"But you two look more alike than we were. Remember yesterday? Arietta has been shooting with Ion the whole day and she didn't even notice you change places."
"That's because she's an idiot."
"No. That's because you really look like him and you're perfect for your job."
Sync stopped and let go of Florian, face gloomed. "So I'm just a second rate after all."
"It's not what I meant-"
"But it's what everybody else says. I took this job because Ion told me people would realize that I have my own characteristic. In the end, I'm still just a copy of Ion."
"No, you're not," someone said from behind. Florian and Sync looked back and saw Arietta. "You're not just Ion's copy. You are different from him."
"Why are you listening to other people's conversation?" Sync asked grumpily.
"I'm just passing by. I was going to went after you because you walked out suddenly," Arietta answered.
"Oh… you're concerned about your 'Ion'?"
"I know you're Sync."
"And what proof do you have."
"You… called me earlier," Arietta said, thinking of a way to reveal Sync's true nature.
"Call you? Maybe I'll call you before I die, when nobody else is able to piss me off."
"See? You really are Sync. Ion will never say that," Arietta said and smiled.
"I'll leave you guys alone…" Florian said and headed to Sello.
Sync turned his back to Arietta. "You still remember that?"
"Yeah. You were nice before."
"Why? Who do you think is the reason I'm like this now?"
"Me? I'm sorry if it was my fault… I didn't mean what I said back then."
"I hope your apology can bring back those times but… no."
*Flash*
"Would you stop that already? You're ruining the mood!" Sync shouted at Sello. Arietta gave a faint laugh. "What's funny?"
"I realized there's something about you that never changed since I left," answered Arietta. Sync just raised a brow. "Your words. They are harsh as ever." -she smiled- "but your choice of words are always wrong. What do you mean by 'ruining the mood', huh?
Sync was quite embarrassed. He didn't even know why he said that.
"What do you mean always wrong?" Sync changed the topic.
"Remember when we were at the park and your waiting for your 'girlfriend'? You said she was like 'a chic from heaven'. Chic girls don't fall from the sky. Maybe chicks or little birds but she's not from heaven either."
"Oh really?"
"Yes. Remember at the prom? Four guys, including you were circling her asking her to dance. You looked wretched so you ended up dancing with me. Thanks to that, you became the King of the Night."
"Fine. You win. Any addition to my failures?"
"I remember one. During the Christmas party you…" Sync suddenly held Arietta's mouth but Arietta don't want to stop reminding Sync. Arietta tried to remove his hands and continued. "When you went to the stage and get ready for your speech you-"
Suddenly, Arietta stopped. She didn't expect it to happen but Sync kissed her. His lips are kinda hot. Arietta's eyes were still flickering when Sync parted and said. "If you try to say it again, I'll kiss you for the third time."
"Third time! So this wasn't your first?"
"Did I say something like that? No, I didn't. Why would I say that? Oh, well. Bye!"
Sync rushed out.
"Florian! What does Sync mean?"
Florian who was spying on them came nearer.
"Umm… about that. Will you continue that Christmas Party embarrassment?"
"Don't change the topic!"
"Okay, fine, I'll tell you. Your last movie with Ion, 100 Days of Being Me, Sync was the one who kissed you."
"Kissed me? I never had a kissing scene with anybody at that movie."
"But there was a scene where you got drown accidentally at the pond so Sync saved you."
"Saved me? Saved me by what?"
"By giving you air."
"Wha-"
"I think he's even the one who pushed you. Must've missed you for three years in US."
Arietta didn't know what to do.
"What the—Sync! Come back here you dolt!"
Later that day…
"Florian?"
"Please visit Sync at the hospital."
15